Machine for filling and capping bottles



April 29, 1930.-

S. C. BOND MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed Dec. 9, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet iwf/76.5.5

April 29, 1930. s, C, BOND 1,756,114

MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed Dec. 9, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 29, 1930. s. c. BOND A MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed De. 9, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 61H0: new J April 29, 1930. s. c; BOND MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Filed Dec. 9, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 il a Coznnj Patented Apr. 29, 1930 SAMUEL C. BOND, OF HOLLY OAK, DELAWARE klVlAC11II1\TE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING BOTTLES Application filed December 9, 1922. Serial No. 605,955.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for filling and capping bottles, the invention being more especially designed for incorporation in a foot power machine of 5 that type wherein the bottles may be filled with an aerat'ed or carbonated water, either with or without a desired percentage of syrup, the syruping of one bottle preceding simultaneously with the filling of another i0 bottle with the aerated vor carbonated liquid, althoughriieatures of the invention may be incorporated in machines'oper'ated by power,

Y as willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

Y YThe objects of the invention are to provide 15 a machine which is simple both in its construction and operationand with which bottles may be rapidly filled and capped with a minimum of labor on the part of the attendant, and also to provide a machine wherein ,2J the pressure on the bottle during the filling andv capping stages is decreased as compared with prior machines, whereby the danger of breakage is greatly reduced.

A vfurther object of the invention is to pro- 5 vide an improved control mechanism whereby invariable and exact measurementsor volumes of syrup may be supplied at each fillning and capping operation, without further attention on the part of the attendant than that necessary to place the bottles in position Y andtransiier the same to the capping station.

Referring to the o accompanying drawings,-

Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section lof a machine embodying the present improvements. l

Fig. Zis a sectional elevation looking at the `front of the filling head, valve and syruping device, the section being` substantially on the Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2, with the casing for the valve handle spring in section.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are sectional elevations in Y a plane substantially at right angles to the Sectional plane of F ig. 2 and showing the lling and capping head in diierent positions with Vrelation to the bottle, it being understood in this connection that, while the maf chine is shown with .ai-stationary filling head and a movable bottle support, the converse arrangement might be employed as is common in this art.

in the convenient and handy form of the machine adopted for illustrating the invention a base stand l of conventional form is provided within which is mounted a Sliding lifter 2, adapted to be elevated or allowed to descend under the control of a treadle 3 pivoted in the base and connected with the lifter through the medium of a link 4 and suitable pivotal connections at the ends of the link. The body of the lifter is preferably tubular or chambered at the upper end for the recep tion of a screw stem 5 which latter at its upper end carries the bottle support (3 and by its adjustment the height of the said support with relation to the filling and capping head nliay be regulated to suit different sized bott es.-

Extending upwardly from the base standard are front and rear columns 7 and 8, respectively, which, at their upper ends, support the filling head 9 in xed position, and upon the rear column 8 there is mounted a sleeve 10, the vlower end of which -rests on or is adapted to be elevated by an extension on the lifter 2, as shown in Fig. l. At its upper end this sleeve is provided with a shoulder or enlargement for co-operating with the lower 1 end of an actuating rod which through mechA anism to be presently described performs the function of closing the throat gasket around the mouth of thebottle during the filling operation without, however, maintainingl the pressure on the bottle during the application of the cappingpressure, as will be presently explained.

- The filler head has within it a vertically movable cylindrical member which may be conveniently termed a valve head 1l and within this valve head there is a vertically movable plunger l2 held down by the yielding pressure of a heavy spring 18 confined between the upper head or end of the plunger and a valve head nut la which is in the form of a cylinder screw-threaded on the upper end of the valve head and having an overhanging skirt i4 which fits around a cylindrical projection of the filler head, as shown in the sectional views. At its lower end the valve head constitutes a filler chamber adapted to house the usual tapering cap-contracting throat 15, together with the yielding dogs or iingers 16 for holding the cap in position ready for ap-V plication to the bottle mouth.V Also working f' within the large plunger 12 is a smaller spring-pressed plunger l'surinounted by a light spring shown in dotted lines in Fig. y6 and the relative movement of which is limited by a pin 18. f

The lowerend of the iiller head is provided Ywith an annular-seat for the throat gasket 19,

, such seat beingpreterably formed in a bottom cap or annulus 20, threaded on the lower end ofthe liller head. f This throat gasket is confined between theseat'so formed and a Y seat on the valve head, which latter seat may conveniently be extended transversely or the gasket Vprovided with a topV washer of approved orm. Y

The relation of Y when Athe valve vhead is depressed, the'throat gasket 19 will be compressed and ltheaperture therethrough correspondingly reduced in diameter, as will be readily understood by a comparison of Figs. l and 5. F or perform- Ving this Vfunction in proper co-ordination kwith theupward movement of the bott-le on V'its support, the following mechanism is provided: An actuating rod 65 is y mounted to slide vertically Without rotation in a suitable Y guide-way in the head9, as shown in Figs. l 'Y to 6. -Atiitslower end this actuating rod carries an'adjustable projection, conveniently in the'torm of a set screw 66 with vwhich the head or-sh'oulder on the sleeve 10 is adapted to contact for lifting the actuating rod with relaltion to the head in consonance with the movement of the bottle with relation tothe head.

VThe timing of the movement of the actuating .,Figs. 4V and 5 and for co-operation withthis primary pawl there is provided an eccentric 23 pivotally mounted in the filler headyand having on one side a projection 24 which will (1o-operate with the pawl for turning the eccentric rom the position shown in Fig. i to that shown in 5, wheneverthe actuating rod is elevated. T he eccentric 23 co-operates with a secondary pavvl 25 which at its lower end takes a bearing on the valve head 11 and consequently, when turned from the position shown in F 4 to that shown'iin Fig. 5, the VVvalve head is depressed to compress the throat v gasket and reduce the size of the therein.

aperture these partsis such that,V

ln moving from the position shown in Fig.V

li, to that shown in Fig. 5, a second projection 26 on the eccentric passes in through an opening in the side of theY valve head and rests upon or immediately over a shoulder formed by the lower head of the large plungerr12 and in position 'for that plunger upon its elevation to restoreY the eccentric to substantially the position shown in Fig. l, or to turn it suiiiciently in that direction to permit of the elasticity ot' the throat gasket completing its movement. When, however, the eccentric is turned into the position shown in Fig. 5 its center ot movement yreaches or slightly passes the neutral point, and'hence the valve head will be held down until a reverse movement of the eccentric is effected.

By reer-encetoFigs. 2 and 3, it will be seenv that the valve head is provided at one vside with a valve casing 27 adapted to work vertically in a slot in the liller head in unison with the vaive'head, and this Vvalve casing at its inner end communicates through an inwardly and downwardly inclined passage'28 with the filling chamber above the throat gasket v19.

The valve casing27 contains a valve mechanism adapted to be operated by the valve handle 29 to admit carbonated water under pressure ortop'ermit of the sniftingroperation which is necessary in nllingbottles with liquids having gas under pressure therein. The carbonated water,V or the liquid under pressureis supplied througha Vrear fitting 30,

-E ig. .3, :trom any suitable source ot supply,

and itsv entrance intolthe filling chamber'is normally prevented'bya tubular valvel seating against the inner endotthefvalve casing or a suitable seat formed in the valve head, and if desired having an intermediate liber washer 32, said valve being Yheld against its seat by a spring rlhe valv'e'is adapted to be brought away or lifted from its seat `by the head of a secondary valveplunger Se which at its outer end is connected with the VVvalve end 35 controlled by the handle 29. The

plungerV Sil. is tubular and provided with connected ports 36 ini proximity to its ends, the port near its inner extremity being so located that when the plunger is pushed inwardly it will be opened to the {illing chamf ber, but when theplunger is drawn until its head seats against the fiber washer onl the main valve, the port will be closed.

rlhe port at the outer end ot the plunger is in communication with'the atmosphere or waste pipe and as a convenient and desirable construction the valve casing is providedwith an exhaust connection 37which'cominunicates through a suitable hose connection-38 with the upper end of the tuhular rearV column, whereby any snifting exhaust will beconL .veyed down through Ythat rearV column-and escape at 'an unobjectionable point. Forpreventing Y communication between the liquid inlet and the shifting exhaust the valve/casing lio is provided with a front packing washer 39 held to its seat and in position to engage the tubular portion or sleeve of the main valve by a transversely apertured long follower l0 and the projection of the valve end 35 with which the plunger is connected is surrounded by a packing washer All which is held in place by a short follower and leek nut 42. The whole arrangement is such that when the valve handle is moved in one direction or so aste draw the valve end outwardly, the main valve will be lifted from its seat and carbonated liquid allowed to enter the filling chamber, but upon moving` the valve handle in the oppositefdirection, the main valve will be'seated or allowed. to remain on its seat and the supplemental valve will be opened, putting the filling chamber into communication with the exhaust through the two ports in the snifting valve plunger.

s, The *filler head is provided with a pad vfor the attachment ofa bracket i3 in which the syruping device is mounted. This syruping device comprises preliminarily a measuring cylinder 4l Ywhich is vertically movable in the bracket but held against rotation therein, and within thecylinder there is a weighted piston 45, the upward movement of which .piston in Ythe cylinder is limited by an accurate stop mechanism which readily adjustable from the exterior so as V2,*opening downwardly and adapted to be closed at certain times, if' so desired, by a vertically movable valve llillien the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 2 the inlet port Mis in open communication through the intercommunicating passage i9 with the cylinder below the piston, and the entering syrup will raise' the pistonA to the limit permitted Vby the stop mechanism. rlhe syrup is permitted to escape from the cylinder into the bottle when the valve L8 is lifted by Contact with the bottle and for this purpose the valve 48, while normally seating so as to close the exit, will, when aised, permit the syrup to flow into the discharge port 50 and out at the lower end-f the valve stem. The

' llower'orexternal end of the valve stem is providedwith the' usual cone-shaped seat for Athe mouth of the bottle and is normally held Vso as to close the exit port y means of a coil spring l confined between the conical mnuth piece and a recess in a. valve nut 52 screwing into the lower end of the cylinder.

' The stop mechanism for regulating the volume of syrup measured, consists of a cylindrical gage nut 53 screwing into the upper end of the cylinder and at its lower edge 'forming the stop for alestng the upward 'rotation and the volume which will be measured at each point. In addition, the periphery of the nut and the cylinder with which it cooperates are divided into eight divisions, each of which indicates one thirtyssecond of an ounce, and in order to retain the nut accurately and positively in its adjusted position with relation to the cylinder, vertical apertures are formed in the threaded portion of the two members, as shown at 54, in Fig. 3, for the accommodation of a locking pin 55, thus providing for the most accurate adjustmentv and the retention of the parts in their adjusted position with the greatest degree ef certainty.

As a convenient construction the piston proper is preferably a relatively heavy body, as shown at 45, and this is surmounted by a leather packing 56 confined between the body and a follower 57, the parts being held together by a screw-threaded handle 58 located within the cylinder and gage nut, as shown clearly in Fig. 2.

-The weight of the piston effects the discharge of the measured quantity of syrup when the exit valve is opened by the engagement of the bottle mouth with the seat at the lower end of the valve, and by making the cylinder itself vertically movable in its bracket, any variation in the height of the bottle is readily accommodated and the only precaution necessary to observe is that the spring holding the valve closed should be of less strength than that required to elevate the cylinder. In other words, the weight of the cylinder is largely in excess of the strength of the spring and suiiicient not only to overcome the spring but also to overcome the hydrostatic head of the syrup which would tend to reseat the valve or to open the valve when moved suilieiently far to close the inlet port.

lt will be understood, of course, that the 'filler head spring 13 is a heavy spring and suiiicient to prevent the pressure of the carbonated water from unseating or moving the plunger l2 upwardly, although as precautionary measures against the escape of liquid in this direction, the valve head nut is closed at the upper end and the plunger 12 is adapted to seat against a leather washer 59.

In operatiointhe attendant, having placed the requisite quantity of syrup in one bottle,

ltransfers that bottle on the bottle support to the position for co-operating with the filler lili) head, and aV second bottle is placed in position for cio-operation with the syruping device. The treadle is now depressed, raising both bottles, that inposition to cor-operate with the filler head .moving from the position shown .in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig.. 5.

Preliminaryl to this, the operator has, of course, as usual, placed a cap within the filler head, as shown in the drawing.l In moving up from the position shown infFig. 4 to'that 'shown in Fig. 5, the lifter has advanced the sleeve and the actuating rod, the latter,

through' the operation of `the pawls and eccentric, has forced the valve head down from the-position shown in Fig. 4, to the position shown in Fig. V5, thereby compressing the throat gasket and reducing the diameter of Y the opening therein to a point where the bottle will form a sealing engagement. The resistance oiered by the bottle to vfurther movement will tell the operator when to stop, and he then manipulates the valve handle so as to first admit carbonated water and when the pressure is Aequalized he moves the handle in the` other direction, so as to permit of therescape of air, and these operations are repeated yuntil the bottle` is properly filled. "When filled, a furtherinovement ofthe treadle forces Y the bottle up through the throat gasket and into contact with the sealing cap. Ihe rst Contact with the sealing cap is caused by the resistance ofY the light spring-pressed plunger Y and a.l continued upward movement of the bottle performs several-functions.` As the bottle jenters the Vcontracting throat 15 it bei gins to elevate Ythe main plunger 12, and at this instant thev nfiain'plungerV 12 beginstoV turn the eccentric backwardly, with the re,- sult that pressure on the throat gasket is relieved. In proportion to the further advance of the bottle and'before the pressure required to lock the` capvis exerted, the pressure-on the throatgasket is entirely .relieved and y"consequently the onlypressure exerted on the bottle is that required to lock or de- -torm the cap. This arrangement relieves the bottle of a very large proportion of the pres-` sure exerted iny prior machines Vduring the final capping movement, as, with the present inachine,there is no throat gasket pressure Y at this time, and consequently, a large `pereoV Vcentage of saving vis made in broken'bottles Y or. containers, or what is equally important, it becomesV possible with this ymachine'to em-` with the bottle for operating to release the throat gasket when the "headand'bottle are given a relative movement to lock thefcap on the bottle.

Y In a kbottle filling and capping machine,

a filler head having means for applying and locking a bottle cap on the mouth'of a bottle by a relative movement Y of the bottley and head toward each other, an elastic contractile vthroatgasket, a relativelyrmovable member carried by the head for contracting the gasket to form a sealingv` contact with the bottle, means ter moving said member into gasket contracting position, and means actuated by the bottle for releasing said; member `to permit the gasket to expand during the relative movement ofthe bottle and head toward each other.

a filler head having'means for applying and locking a bottle cap on the mouth of a bottle by a relative movement of the bottle andhead toward each other, an elastic contractile throat gasket, a relatively movable member carried bythe head for contracting the gasket to form a sealing Contact with the'bottle, a pawl engagingV said member, anv eccentric cooperating with said pawl for holding Vsaid member irl-gasket contracting positionduring part of the vrelative forward movementY o1" `the bottle, and means actuated by the 3. In a-bottlefilling and capping machine,

bottle during the latter part of its. relativeforward movement to impart a return movement to said pawl and eccentricto release said gasket and permit it-to expand.

4.. In a bottle tilling'andcapping machine, Y

Va filler head having means for applying and locking a bottle cap on the mouth of a bottle by arelative'movement of the bottle andV head toward each other, a normallydistended elastic contractile throat '.gasket,.a relatively movable member carried by thehead for contracting the gasket toform a sealing Contact with `thebottle,ineans` for moving said member-to contract the gasket as the bottle isl brought into gasket engaging position, said means comprising a lock for retaining the gasket contracted, and means for releasing such lock during the relative movement of theparts for locking the cap on the bottle. Y Y

e 5. In a bottle filling and capping machine, a filler head having means for applying and .locking a bottle cap on the Vmouth of a bottle by a relative movement of the body and head a toward eachk other, Vanv elasticv contractile throat Vgasket,a relatively movablemember carri-edby the head for contracting the'gasket to form a sealing contact with the bottle, means for moving saidmember to contract the gasket as the bottle is brought into gasket .engaging position, saidV means comprising a lock for retaining the gasket contracted, a Yyielding plunger within ythe 'head for cooperation withY the bottle cap in locking the llO same on the bottle, Yand a shoulder on said plunger for co-operation with the lock to release the gasket during the application of cap locking pressure on the bottle.

6. In a bottle filling and capping machine, fillerhead having means for applying and locking a bottle cap on the mouth of a bottle by a relative movement of the body and head toward each other, an elastic contractile throat gasket, a relatively movable member carried by the head for contracting the gasket to form a sealing contact with the bottle, a relatively movable actuating rod, a pawl carried by said rod, an eccentric mounted on the head with which said pawl co-operates, and a secondary pawl actuated by said eccentric for advancing said relatively movable member to contract the gasket during the relative forward movement of the bottle into gasket engaging position, the pawl on said actuating rod being movable out of engagement with the eccentric during the final relatively forward movement of the bottle for applying the cap thereto.

7 In a bottle filling and capping machine, a filler head having means for applying anc locking a bottle cap on the mouth of a bottle by a relative movement of the body and head toward each other, an elastic contractile throatgasket, a relatively movable member carried by the head for contracting .the gasket to form a sealing contact with the bottle, a relatively movable actuating rod, a pawl carried by said rod, an eccentric mounted on the head with which said pawl co-operates, a secondary pawl actuated by said eccentric for advancing said relatively movable member to contract the gasket during the relatively forward movement of the bottle into gasket engaging position. the pawl on said actuating rod being movable out of engagement with the eccentric during the final relatively forward movement of the bottle for applying the cap thereto, and a plunger mounted in said head in position to be moved by the bottle and co-operating with said' eccentric to release the secondary pawl and permit the gasket to expand.

8. In a bottle filling and capping machine, a filler head having a port for admission of the liquid to be bottled, combined filling and snifting valves controlling said port, said valves comprising concentric valve members movable in unison in one direction for filling,

the inner member being movable independently in the opposite direction for snifting, and a controlling handle connected withl the inner member whereby the movement of the handle in one direction admits lling fluid, and the movement of the handle in the opposite direction cuts off the supply of filling fiuid and opens the snifting valve member.

9. The combination with a bottle filling and capping machine, of a filler head having a port therein, a combined filling and snifting valve controlling said port comprising a tubular filling valve member, a snifting valve member located within said tubular valve member and having an enlargement for cooperation with the filling valve member to open the latter when moved in one direction, a port opened by its movement in an outward direction for snifting, and a. handle connected with said snifting valve member for filling and snifting respectively by movements in opposite directions.

l0. The combination with a bottle filling and capping machine, of a filler head having a port therein, a combined filling and snifting valve controlling said port comprising concentric members movable in opposite directions for opening the ports controlled thereby, one of said members having a projection co-operating with the other member to open the latter when the first mentioned member is moved in a direction to close the port controlled thereby, and an operating handle connected with said last mentioned member.

1l. The combination with a bottle filling and capping machine, of a filler head having a port therein, a combined filling and snifting valve controlling said port comprising a tubular filling valve, a spring for advancing said valve to closed position, a packing surrounding said valve, an internal snifting valve having a head for co-operation with the filling valve for opening the latter, and a port opened by movement of the snifting 'valve in the opposite direction, a packing surrounding the snifting valve stem, a snifting valve exhaust duct communicating with the snifting valve between said packings, and a handle for operating the snifting valve in one direction for snifting and in the opposite direction for opening the filling valve for filling.

12. In a bottle filling and capping machine, a filler head, means comprising a plunger for applying caps to the bottle, a gasket to form a sealing contact with the bottle, means for contracting the opening in the gasket, and means controlled by the movement of said plunger for permitting the expansion of the gasket opening to its original diameter.

13. In a bottle filling and capping machine, a filler head, means for applying caps to a bottle, a gasket to form a sealing contact with the bottle, means for contracting said gasket, and means actuated by the bottle for releasing said gasket to permit the eX- pansion thereof'.

SAMUEL C. BOND. 

